VIBE

This elegant tea salon started by the Mariage brothers (or frères, if you will) in the 19th century transports its guests to the heady colonial days when tea was an exotic commodity harvested in distant lands via its colonial-style ambiance (think wicker furniture, potted palms, and mysterious tea canisters crammed onto antique shelves). Following the complicated rules of the French “Art du Thé” (infusion time and temperature are key here), the house of Mariage offers delicately infused brews from some of the world’s most prestigious tea plantations, all served by knowledgeable waiters in spotless white jackets. For those who like to nibble as they sip, there’s a menu of lunchtime light bites and afternoon cakes and pastries.

CROWD

A mixture of tea snobs, well-heeled locals, and tourists.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

An effortlessly elegant yet casual look.

GO HERE WITH

Tea aficionados; friends; your mom; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s a lovely, atmospheric spot for an afternoon tea snack or light lunch. We like browsing the attached tea boutique for souvenirs afterwards.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

Meals are only served until 3:00pm, and the space is pretty cramped.

GOOD TO KNOW

There’s a museum of tea (displaying antique tea containers, paraphernalia, etc.) and a nifty tea boutique attached. Mariage Frères also has outlets in department stores Printemps, Bon Marché, and Galeries Lafayette.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Carrousel du Louvre - 1st Arr. (Paris); Rue des Grands-Augustins - 6th Arr. (Paris); Saint-Honoré - 8th Arr. (Paris); Madeleine - 8th Arr. (Paris); Le Chesnay; Vélizy; Lille; Lyon; Marseille; Toulon; various locations in Germany and Japan

CLOSEST COMPS

Ladurée (Paris); Angelina (Paris)

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